It’s less than 80 days before the November election and Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Foley says he’s still working on his urban strategy.

Without giving too much of his strategy away, Foley acknowledged that he plans to focus on the state’s cities.

“The fate of our cities will be the fate of our state,” Foley said several months ago.

But it’s also a political calculation. The Democratic Party machines in cities like New Haven, Bridgeport, and Hartford gave Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy his 6,404-vote margin of victory in 2010. Foley acknowledged that he needs votes in those cities in order to win, but what exactly will his urban strategy look like?

Last week after winning the Republican primary, Foley said he’s in the urban communities now talking to them about a “framework for a policy related to schools, housing, restoring jobs, and getting crime rates down.”

He said he wants to make sure that before he comes out with a strategy, that “it’s a plan people in those communities embrace and believe will work.”

Foley said Malloy spent a lot of time in cities both on the campaign trail and during his term in office, but there’s still “a lot of unhappiness there.”

“They’re looking for an alternative as well,” Foley said.

Mark Bergman, a spokesman for Malloy’s campaign said he thinks the choice for urban communities is clear.

“If Tom Foley’s ‘urban strategy’ includes opposing Connecticut’s paid sick leave law, calling our smart, strict law to get illegal guns off the streets an inconvenience, saying we spend too much on mass transit, and cutting aid to cities, then he should re-think his strategy,” Bergman said.

What exactly Foley will offer as that alternative remains to be seen.

In March, the Connecticut Policy Institute that Foley founded released a report with recommendations on how to improve urban areas, but Foley said he would not adopt them directly as part of his campaign platform.

The report includes details on ways to improve housing, education, job creation, and to reduce crime.

“We need to talk to people in these communities. We need to talk to business leaders about whether these will work and which of them will work and make the most sense,” he said in March. “In terms of my campaign and developing an urban policy agenda of my own, this a good framework to start from.”

While Foley still has not produced a concrete plan, he made some specific comments last week about how these urban areas are perceived by business owners.

“It’s more about protecting employers in urban environments where there’s corruption against corruption and providing safe communities,” Foley said at a press conference with his running mate, Heather Bond Somers.

He said the state should develop a statewide municipal code to speed up permitting. According to the Connecticut Policy Institute report, “Connecticut’s cities, where a wide array of bureaus and departments each administer their own ordinances and permits, regularly take twice as long as equivalent processes in smaller Connecticut towns.”

Foley said the state should enforce one code so businesses “aren’t being shaken down by municipal governments that are corrupt.”

He said employers said they can’t operate in cities because they can’t get through all the red tape. But he was unable to give a specific example of a company that’s had that experience.

Asked which municipalities are shaking down employers, Foley said, “Well certainly in Bridgeport there have been problems.”

Asked to clarify what he meant by that, Foley said he was referring to former Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim, who was convicted of leveraging his position to receive kickbacks from city contractors. Ganim was released from prison on those charges in 2010.

“These are details I really don’t believe I need to provide because it’s public record. It’s obvious,” Foley said. “Corruption’s been a big problem in Bridgeport . . . The impression that these things are going on in Bridgeport would last a long time after Mayor Ganim’s gone.”

Asked if he was suggesting this was a current practice in Bridgeport, Foley said “no.”

In the meantime, Foley has retained Regina Roundtree as his urban outreach coordinator. Former lieutenant governor candidate Penny Bacchiochi, who lost the nomination last week to Somers, terminated Roundtree’s contract after she made comments on Facebook accusing Somers of “white privilege.”

Foley’s campaign declined to comment Sunday on his relationship with Roundtree, who is also the founder of the Connecticut Black Republicans and Conservatives.

“We don’t comment on personnel, vendors, or consultants. But we are going to have a very aggressive urban outreach strategy,” Mark McNulty, a campaign spokesman, said.

According to campaign finance reports, Foley has paid Roundtree’s consulting firm about $7,210.

(60) Comments

posted by: LongJohn47 | August 18, 2014 7:22am

“What exactly Foley will offer as that alternative remains to be seen.”

Typical Foley. “I’ve got a plan” but he won’t tell us what it is. The guy’s had four years to come up with concrete proposals, but on most issues he’s silent on the details.

Foley is an empty suit.

posted by: Commuter | August 18, 2014 8:21am

It is entirely a political calculation. This man is incapable of being bold and original.

Foley will release a bill of goods designed to let people hear what they want to hear. That is precisely what this means: “a framework for a policy related to schools, housing, restoring jobs, and getting crime rates down.” He said he wants to make sure that before he comes out with a strategy, that “it’s a plan people in those communities embrace and believe will work.”

And there will be the usual Foley craven hypocrisy and self-contradictory statements, for example, he’s all about “local control” when it comes to the school system - like it’s some deeply held principle he’s got - but we should impose a state-wide zoning code to help the job creators. He should ask his running mate how that will go over in Groton, never mind Stonington.

What’s really going on is that Foley has been tinkering around under the hood and still hasn’t got a vehicle that is road worthy. He’s been trying appeal to disaffected minorities, some of whom have been polite to him just in case he made it to the capitol, but he isn’t getting any traction.

Foley doesn’t have anybody worth their salt working on policy, and his campaign continues to sputter. It’s pathetic. No wonder the GOP faithful are already demoralized.

posted by: bob8/57 | August 18, 2014 11:31am

Foley’s for something until he’s not. Trying to fool city dwellers into believing you care about them by backing business owners that already vote Republican ain’t gonna win the election. It’s only going to alienate voters even further from the Republican party. Not that that’s a bad thing…

posted by: SocialButterfly | August 18, 2014 11:52am

James S. Walker, a metro editor of the New haven Register, wrote a lengthy biased editorial Democratic-vote slanted column Sunday, GOP DOESN’T DESERVE BLACK VOTE. Tom Foley needs to find an Afro-American reporter who will respond to Walker’s attack letter against Republicans and Foley’s bid to make headway in votes in the urban Black communities. James S. Walker’s anti-GOP
writing’s needs a reply from Team Foley in his goal to make inroads with the rural vote.

posted by: CitizenCT | August 18, 2014 1:00pm

After four years, what is Malloy’s urban strategy? Buy votes in Bridgeport by building a new train station and move jobs from within CT to Stamford?

posted by: LongJohn47 | August 18, 2014 1:01pm

Commuter—what I fear is an “air war” between Malloy and Foley (and their surrogates) where nothing of substance is discussed and voters are turned off and don’t participate.

I’m a Malloy supporter, as anyone who reads these blogs understands, but I do want a full and in-depth debate so everyone understands the differences and comes to the polls with a positive reason to vote.

At this point, that seems like a dream.

posted by: art vandelay | August 18, 2014 1:05pm

One of Foley’s primary objectives was the urban vote. So far he has yet to attend one Sunday Baptist service in New Haven. He’s yet to knock on one door on Sherman Ave. in New Haven or establish a Foley for Governor office on Albany Ave. in Hartford.
Bottom line, Foley has no clue how to get the Urban vote. Statements like “I’m still working on an urban strategy” doesn’t cut the mustard. Foley had four years to develop a strategy. Come November Malloy will again obtain 95% of the urban vote. Foley will have to rely on the pro-gun & remaining conservative got to get elected.

posted by: LongJohn47 | August 18, 2014 1:20pm

Art - “rely on the pro-gun vote” will be problematic for Foley if Visconti makes the ballot.

posted by: Commuter | August 18, 2014 1:23pm

@ LongJohn47 - I don’t think you’ll be disappointed by a lack of specificity on Malloy’s part.

You’re almost sure to be disappointed on your wish for a full debate, as Foley is both incapable of engaging Malloy as an equal adversary and, as he made clear on Face the State yesterday, views the debates as a sort of insubstantial beauty pagent (and he owes his near miss in 2010 to that kind of superficial impression, according to him).

The depth of Foley’s cynicism is so complete that it seems hard for people to believe it. Reporter after reporter is, like, “No, really, that’s it? Um, when will you get specific?”

His contempt for a substantive discussion and debate is right out front - he talks about it openly and it is on display in every public engagement; from meetings with editorial boards to failed attempts to capitalize on the misery of others in Sprague, to appearances on the Sunday talk shows and press conferences.

He makes no bones about it. To him, it actually is all atmospherics and optics - smoke and mirrors.

Foley is a vacuity.

And his campaign strategy explicitly eschews substance. It’s astonishing that the GOP picked this con artist a second time.

posted by: Salmo | August 18, 2014 1:34pm

After the stunt Mr. Foley pulled up here in Eastern Connecticut at Fusion Paper one can only assume he is either Mitt Romney, Jr. (47 %) or he is a Carpet Bagger.

posted by: GuilfordResident | August 18, 2014 1:38pm

85% of the wealthiest Americans are Democrats. I don’t know how that breaks down in CT but by the look of Fairfield County and New Haven County, I’d say a large percentage of wealthy people in CT are Democrats too. It’s a myth that the rich belong to the GOP. I’d say the not-so-bad off are GOP, wealthy and uber-rich are Democrat.

posted by: SocialButterfly | August 18, 2014 1:43pm

Art Vandelay: Don’t attack Tom Foley for not yet making inroads within the black rural communities. After all Foley just won the Republican nomination for governor. Give Foley a chance before throwing a dart, Art. There’s plenty of darts you could be throwing at a non-performing Gov. Malloy instead of “jumping the gun on Tom Foley.”

posted by: LongJohn47 | August 18, 2014 1:47pm

commuter - agree completely with your analysis. what’s astonishing is that Foley actually wants a lot of debates. he’s so clueless that he thinks he will come out the winner. Malloy will have him for lunch.

It will be fun to watch.

posted by: LongJohn47 | August 18, 2014 1:50pm

Guilford—seriously? 85% of the wealthiest people are Democrats? where do these numbers come from?

posted by: SocialButterfly | August 18, 2014 1:57pm

@CitizenCt: Lifetime politician Dannel Malloy has made a history of converting our taxpayer money for strictly the personal benefit of Dannel Patrick Malloy’s political gain. We need some educated voters to recognize the costly schemes of Malloy’s political ambitions left on the beleagered taxpayers. If Malloy is a friend, we need no enemies.

posted by: art vandelay | August 18, 2014 2:04pm

I’ve come to the conclusion that Foley has zero interest in campaigning. His only interest is having the title “Governor” in front of his name. I’m totally disgusted with the Republican powers to be in giving him the nomination let alone winning the primary. If things keep going the way they are, I’ll vote for Malloy. At least we know what we’re going to get.

posted by: SocialButterfly | August 18, 2014 2:23pm

@Salmo: The distorted and incorrect phony Fusion Paper ad being run by Dannel Malloy is indicative of the fact that DPM is desperate to get the votes of the uneducated voters to cover up his documented record as a failure at governor. “If you can’t display any honest reason for being reelected, then you dazzle them with BS,” seems to illustrate the boxed-in corner futility Malloy is working from. The desperate campaign ad proves “Malloy is stuck in between a rock and a hard-place.’

posted by: GuilfordResident | August 18, 2014 3:00pm

I’ll look for where I read that ... if I can find it but here are links to reputable MSM sites that corroborate Democrats being the fattest cats of all:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/31/democrats-wealth_n_5062088.html

Just anecdotally, almost everyone I know who yacht races from Greenwich CT to Newport RI is a Democrat or leans that way. My immediate neighbors who hunt are Democrats. My in-laws and a couple of guys I work w/ are the only other Republicans I know who I see on an almost daily basis. I’m awash in well-off Democrats.

posted by: GBear423 | August 18, 2014 3:04pm

Art- among the candidates that started, who was your horse? Cause I really saw not one that stood apart.

I am not thrilled with Foley by any stretch, but how can you speak of supporting Republican ideals, or just fiscal sanity and state you would give your vote to Danny Dan Dannel Malloy? He is absolutely proving he is only going to bankrupt us on his way to DC.

posted by: art vandelay | August 18, 2014 3:44pm

@GBear423,
I never jumped on any Republican candidate’s horse. McKinney was in Hartford too long and was boxed into a no win situation regarding his vote on SB1160. It pretty much took him out of the race. The Republican State Central Committee had 4 years to nurture a solid Republican candidate to run against Malloy this year and failed miserably. Foley who proved to them that he could not campaign, had poor speaking skills & cannot relate to issues or the electorate was a poor choice. He has no clue as to how to attack the problems this state has head on nor demonstrates ANY enthusiasm. It’s like he doesn’t even WANT to be governor. At this point as a dyed in the wool conservative I’ll vote for Malloy. My reason you ask is simple. Malloy will bankrupt this state. He’ll bring it to the brink of what’s going on in Greece and then maybe then, people will wake up. In one respect I’m rooting for this state to go under fiscally & socially so that in the long term we just might seek some greatness after we rebuild from the ashes.

posted by: SocialButterfly | August 18, 2014 4:27pm

@GuilfordResident: And your questionable conclusion is?

posted by: LongJohn47 | August 18, 2014 5:23pm

Guilford—let’s quickly think about the first article you cite from HuffPo. Yes, the 4th CD in CT is in the top five nationally in terms of average income, but that doesn’t mean that those making huge hedge fund incomes are Democrats—far from it.

Greenwich, Darien, New Canaan, and Wilton are solidly Republican, while Westport and Ridgefield were traditionally R and now are split.

In fact, what you’ve got here is extraordinarily rich Rs living in a sea of upper middle class, moderate, and poor Dems in Stamford, Norwalk, and Bridgeport.

In fact, when Himes won in 2008 (an Obama year with massive turnout) he only carried those three cities—Chris Shays won every other town in the district.

Finally, average income is very misleading. If you and I are in the bar and Bill Gates walks in, the average income goes through the roof. You have to be careful with statistics.

posted by: shinningstars122 | August 18, 2014 6:23pm

Great comments on this thread.

I love this Foley quote.

“It’s more about protecting employers in urban environments where there’s corruption against corruption and providing safe communities,”

Bring in Halliburton!!

Or this one about the big bad cities.
“aren’t being shaken down by municipal governments that are corrupt.”

Tom its called revenue buddy boy.

Time to get this guy a teleprompter ASAP.

posted by: art vandelay | August 18, 2014 6:44pm

@Guilford Resident & GBear423,
FYI Richard Blumenthal & Rosa DeLauro are two of the richest members in their respective chambers.

posted by: NoNonsense2014 | August 18, 2014 7:26pm

@QuestionMark: And on what do you base your questionable conclusion that the Fusion ad is “distorted and incorrect phony”? I watched the entire video of Foley’s press conference, and I considered it a horrendous performance by a man who thinks he’s fit to be governor. I was appalled by his rudeness, arrogance and cluelessness, and his “my mind’s made up, don’t confuse me with the facts” attitude.

posted by: LongJohn47 | August 18, 2014 10:08pm

Art—Blumenthal married into the Empire State Building fortune, but our other Senator still has student loan debt. What does any of that prove? John McCain has seven houses. What does that prove?

scroll through this list of rich Congressmen. A lot of them married very well. http://www.rollcall.com/50richest/the-50-richest-members-of-congress-112th.html

Guilford tells us that the ultra rich are mostly Democrats. Nonsense.

posted by: art vandelay | August 18, 2014 11:01pm

@QuestionMark,

I respectfully disagree. Foley & the Republicans had four long years to develop a “Urban Strategy”. Formulating one 10 weeks prior to an election is foolhardy. The only way the Republicans can reverse the present course in this state is to obtain a veto proof majority in both chambers of the Legislature plus the Governor’s chair. They have no clue as to how to accomplish this task. I’ve been saying this for months.

posted by: GBear423 | August 19, 2014 6:26am

@ Art-
Brilliant! Actually I see your point, if the candidate and his party won’t do a stellar job, they will only make the brand look worse.

Let CT burn. Let loose the Democrat spending machine!!

Vote Malloy!! Vote Malloy!! bwahahhaahaahaa.. (its quite liberating oddly) Don’t just stand their u fools, write a redundant social program bill!! and make the rich pay their fair share!!

a note to all our lib friends, you ask for specifics and links and plans, where is yours? What is Malloy going to do about the projected deficit? The long term debt? The unfunded pension liability? the stifling taxes and fees in this State?

posted by: PaulW | August 19, 2014 8:09am

When it comes to government corruption, virtually 100% of the time the government has a partner. The private sector.

For “outsider” Foley (former ambassador, Bush bundler, Baghdad bagman) to suggest it’s a one way street is hilarious.

posted by: SocialButterfly | August 19, 2014 8:14am

@NoNonsense2014: Your conclusions conflict with mine. Peace be with you.

posted by: SocialButterfly | August 19, 2014 8:21am

@art vandelay: You have voiced conflicting opinions, but don’t sell out Tom Foley until we have the final vote.

posted by: SocialButterfly | August 19, 2014 8:34am

@LongJohn47: It’s going to be hard for Tom Foley to confront and plan to clean up the fiscal mess created by our loose cannon governor. Why haven’t you condemned Malloy’s four years of incompetence in office and instead attack Foley’s four years to plan to clean up Malloy’s mess.
Your sarcastic “empty suit” belongs to Gov. Malloy. If you can’t respond with brilliance, don’t call Foley names John.

posted by: sofaman | August 19, 2014 9:52am

I can actually feel bad for the Republican Party. Foley was terrible at campaigning last time around, and now he’s actually been nominated again? It’s embarrassing.

All governments provide some measure of “Red Tape” and sadly corruption. IF, your strategy is not based on new ideas and big-picture visions, at LEAST get to some specifics on the attack side of your strategy. Who the heck is advising this guy? Bridgeport? We are going to elect a governor to fix Bridgeport? A tag team of the ghost of Barry Goldwater and the Pope couldn’t fix Bridgeport.

If I was Foley’s adviser, I’d recommend skipping all events that involve interaction with the public, and especially reporters. Just release a series of carefully scripted YouTube videos. It couldn’t be worse.

posted by: art vandelay | August 19, 2014 10:03am

@Sofaman,
I couldn’t agree more.

posted by: LongJohn47 | August 19, 2014 10:17am

sofaman—the guy who wants to be governor should hide from everyone along the way? perfect!

I’m really stunned by the tone of this thread. I’ve said all along that Foley is an empty suit. what surprises me is that you guys basically agree.

love Malloy or hate him, you have to admit that he’s not afraid of the press or the public. agree with him or not, he understands how government works and passionately believes that it has a proper role in our society.

Foley? not so much.

posted by: art vandelay | August 19, 2014 12:01pm

@Longjohn47,
I know we’re on opposite sides of the fence, but on this point I agree w/you 100%

posted by: art vandelay | August 19, 2014 12:14pm

Let’s conclude that Foley does win the election. He’s never been in the political arena and has no clue how it works. He’s not going to be working with subordinates that can be fired at will. He will be dealing with seasoned politicians who have conflicting agendas and philosophies that he CANNOT fire.
His advisories also have the power to override his vetoes. In short Foley is in way over his head.

posted by: GBear423 | August 19, 2014 2:08pm

Guys really? malloy is this political mastermind? He has been throwing every political gimmick and the kitchen sink (avail at outlets for a $55.00 tax rebate check) at this election cycle. He hires criminals to run our children’s schools, he is solving our debt problems by bonding unnecessary multi million dollar construction projects and delaying payments on those other bonds, etc etc

and you guys are criticizing Foley for making money on the outside and think he would be over his head because he will have to work with democrats and republicans instead of business owners and colleagues? that is what he used to work with, other people in business. To make money, which is admittedly the opposite of Dan Malloy’s experience.

Art I thought it was funny the strategy to let CT burn, but ya, not a good idea when I want to live here in the mean time. FWIW I do agree the man sucks at campaigning, I continue to tell his surrogates this. Though Obama is excellent at campaigning, and look how great our nation is doing…

posted by: GBear423 | August 19, 2014 2:13pm

Also as far as I understand the rules neither the RNC nor DNC are allowed to “groom” a candidate. They are to support a candidate once one has been nominated by the Party, then they can throw money and hopefully some campaign professionals at the race. Otherwise its on the candidate and her team to provide the “vision”

posted by: LongJohn47 | August 19, 2014 2:20pm

@???—I actually think Malloy’s done a pretty good job with a terrible mess left by Mrs. Rell (whom I liked very much, and respected for her strong support for public financing of elections and her willingness to propose raising taxes to pay for education).

Regardless of her good intentions, she was unable/unwilling to govern, and her last year in office hardly showed up in Hartford at all. She just gave up and stayed home.

Malloy will never give up. He’s a fighter with strong opinions and the willingness to make things happen. I don’t agree with him on everything, to be sure, but I know who’s in charge and I appreciate his passionate approach to government.

Foley, on the other hand, isn’t even remotely passionate about anything. As Art says, he hasn’t got a clue. I’ve seen him in person and he’s truly an empty suit. It’s not sarcasm, it’s simply the truth.

I had lunch today with a friend from Rotary, a dyed-in-the-wool New England conservative Republican. His disdain for Foley was palpable.

posted by: Joebigjoe | August 19, 2014 2:49pm

Foley doesnt need to worry as he is a shoo-in for election unless there is a major screw-up on his part.Why?

1) He lost by 6000 votes last time, with some questionable Bridgeport activity and now we have gun control/people control legislation. Only a fool would think that only 6000 peoples votes would be impacted due to their feelings on that. Even many people that are for that legislation are not motivated as they know it doesnt do a thing about inner city guns, criminals, or mental illness. Their motivation is not very high compared to the angry people.

2) Ferguson is hurting the Dem party nationally. There is a huge under current of people around this country and in CT (friends of mine that usually vote Dem)that are sick and tired of seeing the media portray this country as bad, police are bad, etc and that’s why this is happening. Even NPR has said there are 12 witnesses that saw what the police officer said happened yet you have people still riled up and it isn’t the Republican party doing it. We have our issues as a country but mark my words, there are alot of Dems out there angry at what is taking place and how it’s portrayed. They don’t like the liberal media showing where the officer lives and again it doesnt take much anger here to make up that 6000.

3) Finally Obama poses a huge risk to Dems even at the Governor level. That risk specifically is if he does an Executive Order to grant some type of amnesty for illegals, there will be many people in the Dem party angered as well as obviously the Repub party. In a close election that totally hurts Malloy.

posted by: LongJohn47 | August 19, 2014 3:49pm

Gbear—there are no rules against “grooming” or providing a “vision”. Most candidates do this themselves, but not always.

In fact, there are many times when the “committee” (especially at the local level, but even for statewide offices) has to actively recruit and train candidates who otherwise wouldn’t run.

posted by: SocialButterfly | August 19, 2014 7:31pm

@???@longjohn47: Your sticks and stones “empty suit” attack on Tom Foley does not make you smarter than than a 5th grader. You sarcasm against Tom won’t hurt his winning vote for office as no one knows you or your ??? rubber stamp, or care how two loose cannons feel.
It’s good that you and Art Vandelay are now “political bedfellow’s,” united by our
next Governor Foley.

posted by: SocialButterfly | August 19, 2014 7:56pm

@longjohn47: Your careless assessment the Foley does not really want to be campaigning suggests you are a Democratic political dreamer. However, your many
anti-Foley hits suggests you can’t defend Malloy’s atrocious record in office so you blame Foley instead.

posted by: LongJohn47 | August 19, 2014 10:01pm

@questionmark—I don’t think I’ve personally attacked you, so I’m not sure why you’re attacking me. But anyone who reads this blog knows I can bring data to the table when needed to refute crazy talk.

I can easily defend Malloy, but he does a pretty good job doing that himself, and labeling Foley an empty suit is not an attack, it’s a statement of fact.

Foley is an embarrassment to the Republican Party. Just this year he’s gotten himself into hot water several times by obviously not knowing what he’s talking about.

In 2010 the press was focused on Linda McMahon and her $50 million campaign ($10 million per congressional district, by far the highest in the country). they didn’t really pay attention to Foley and Malloy.

This time is different. The press is awake, and they see that Foley doesn’t have a clue what he’s talking about, but what is much worse, doesn’t really care. He won’t get a pass this time, and Malloy is going to chew him up in the debates.

I hope you tune in. It’s going to be fun to watch, unless, of course, that you hate Malloy so much that you can’t actually listen to what he says. Then it will be painful, because you’ll watch Foley slowly sink into nothingness and you won’t know why.

But the rest of us will.

posted by: SocialButterfly | August 20, 2014 10:34am

@artvandelay: I don’t hate Malloy, although i believe he is grossly incompetent, along with his captive Democratic General Assembly and our rock-bottom national debt-ridden standings do not prove otherwise. However you stand by a documented loser as state leader in Gov. Malloy, and appear to hate Tom Foley so much that you
are willing to let the State of Connecticut slide into oblivion. You appear to be very intelligent Art, but I question your common sense, or perhaps you are driven by being a die-hard, consistent Democratic voter like you new friend LongJohn.

posted by: SocialButterfly | August 20, 2014 5:33pm

@art vandelay: Just because you think Malloy can’t be replaced , don’t be disappointed on Election Day. The news media also wrote that Dewey defeated Truman for president. You are entitled to your many assessments, but do not sell-out Tom Foley. The voters may surprise you this time,

posted by: LongJohn47 | August 20, 2014 10:40pm

questionmark—you object to the amount of debt that CT carries, but you don’t mention that the vast majority of it was approved by Rell and Rowland.

FYI, each debt issue has to be approved by the Bonding Commission before the Treasurer can go to Wall Street and borrow money, and the agenda of the Bonding Commission is controlled 100% by the Governor.

Nothing—repeat nothing—goes before the Bonding Commission for approval unless the Governor personally approves it. New items cannot be raised from the floor during the meeting. S/he is, in the most famous phrase from W, “the decider”.

Most debt issues are for 20 years (some even longer). Malloy has been in office for three and a half. You do the math.

I’m not saying, by the way, that everything that’s been bonded during Malloy’s tenure was necessary and/or appropriate. I am saying that he didn’t run up the score any more than his Republican predecessors.

posted by: art vandelay | August 20, 2014 11:08pm

@Questionmark,
I believe my sarcasm & satire are clouding my actual beliefs for which I apologize. I’m no fan of Malloy and believe he has done more economic & social damage to this state than the previous 87 occupants of his position combined. Fear not Foley has my vote come November. I’m just appalled at the sorry state of affairs with the Republican Party in this state. They have an excellent opportunity to re-capture the Governor’s seat and have nominated one of the worst candidates imaginable. The only person worse than Foley would be two time looser Linda McMahon. In many respects she probably would make a better Governor. All I was saying is that maybe the state has to hit rock bottom like Detroit or NYC in the 70’s to make changes in the right direction. Only when people face total disaster do they start making logical decisions.
I’m the furthest thing from a Democrat. In 8th grade my social studies class held a mock election. I was the only person in the class who voted for Goldwater. My beef is with the Republican State Central Committee. They have no urban vote plan, no plan to run campaigns against Democrats who run opposed, nor do they have any plan to unseat any Democrat member of Congress. To me the entire Republican Party in this state is worthless.

posted by: LongJohn47 | August 20, 2014 11:26pm

Art—I thought we had your vote! I’m devastated! LOL

posted by: art vandelay | August 20, 2014 11:48pm

@LongJohn47,
I’d NEVER go to the Dark Side of the Force.

posted by: shinningstars122 | August 21, 2014 5:54am

@ArtVandelay Barry Goldwater?!? Dude you are old school with the shout out for the original teaparty guy.

“Mark my word, if and when these preachers get control of the [Republican] party, and they’re sure trying to do so, it’s going to be a terrible damn problem. Frankly, these people frighten me. Politics and governing demand compromise. But these Christians believe they are acting in the name of God, so they can’t and won’t compromise. I know, I’ve tried to deal with them.”
― Barry M. Goldwater

I am sure Visconti is looking better and better every day to you folks.

Remember Visconti will repeal all the guns laws.

That is the most important issue in this election…well according to the CCDL anyways.

posted by: LongJohn47 | August 21, 2014 8:19am

Joe—let me offer an analysis of why Malloy will win:

1) over 200,000 people now have healthcare in CT, and many of them will vote

2) Foley has just attacked spending on mass transit in favor of roads, and that won’t sit well with over 100,000 people who ride the trains to work every day

3) Visconti will be on the ticket, draining off the gun nuts, and unlike 2010, this is not a Tea Party year.

4) Pelto may not be on the ticket, and Pryor is now history. Whatever they think of Malloy, teachers will come back when they hear how Foley supports charter schools, money following the child, etc.

5) Foley is an empty suit, but in addition, he’s incredibly inept as a politician. He may be a great businessman, but he’d be a lousy governor because the two skill sets are very different. Voters are not stupid, and with every debate this will become abundantly clear.

Net/net, Malloy faces a tough fight but will prevail with a significantly larger margin than four years ago, maybe as much as 52-48% (about 40,000 votes).

posted by: art vandelay | August 21, 2014 9:09am

Please don’t associate Conservatives like myself who believe in the fundamentals of our Constitution w/religious zealots. Believe it or not I’m pro choice. I detest what progressive socialists like yourself are doing to this country. Constitutional Conservatism has nothing to do w/religious ideology.

posted by: SocialButterfly | August 21, 2014 9:30am

@LongJohn47: Although you find nothing holy about Foley, how can you you find any joy with Malloy, or are you a captive Democrat, and it does not matter to you?

posted by: SocialButterfly | August 21, 2014 10:41am

@LongJohn47: Aren’t you overdoing your “empty suit” bit? Suggest you take that over-worn suit to to the cleaners, John. You say
Foley may be a great businessman but he would be a lousy governor. In your fair-haired joy Dannel Malloy you already have a lousy businessman AND a lousy governor. Tom Foley is the winner!

posted by: GBear423 | August 21, 2014 11:48am

It’s a dwindling minority but there are some pro-life democrats out there.
No doubt the Dem party has abandoned Christians, I am sorry to see. Politicizing religions is a result of the Dem party wrapping its arms around abortion.
So yes, the religious “fanatics” (i.e. those that follow scripture and teachings) either go unaffiliated, 3rd party, or GOP.
The Tea Party is not about social issues, despite what the democrats (who think they are experts on the matter) say. Fiscal Policy and adherence to the Constitution is all we are about.

posted by: MGKW | August 21, 2014 1:32pm

BUYER BEWARE!
Mr Foley really needs to at least talk about his policies and details and let people know that that could change based on what he finds when he is elected. His Sprague comments really opened the door to the impression that he is a 1%er…he really needs to come clean and give people the facts of economic life in CT…yes we do need to change but with a “cards on the table” mentality…Mr. Molloy has not made the hard decisions for fear of alienating his base…if he gets elected that has to change if the state will start to increase its economic bandwith.

posted by: LongJohn47 | August 21, 2014 3:23pm

questionmark—you never responded to my comments on state bonding, particularly how most of it was done under Republican governors. can I assume you agree with me?

additionally, no one has commented on the numbers I put up that show strong pockets of potential votes for Malloy.

BTW, joe talks about angry gun rights people who will vote against Malloy. I can assure you that there are many, many more people who support the gun control measures passed after Newtown and will work tirelessly for Malloy if Foley is stupid enough to call for repeal.

you guys like to make statements about how terrible Malloy is or how the state is on the brink of disaster, but you have very little actual data to point to.

As for Foley, Art said it best on this thread, “Foley is in way over his head.” My shorthand is “empty suit”. Take your pick.

posted by: SocialButterfly | August 21, 2014 4:18pm

@LongJohn47: I have to watch you like a hawk, John. Before you try lock in the blame for the bulk of our huge state bonding debt on only Republican governor’s, please be honest and also chide the ruling Democratic General Assembly who did not veto, but passed this enormous bonding tab into our current nationsl leadership of bonding debt. I will agree with you, John, as long as you do not stretch the truth.